File clamp for file drawers



Dec.17, 1940.

A. S. HARRIMAN FILE CLAMP FOR FILE DRAWERS Fild March 13,-1940 f. A.Hazwz'mra IN V EN TOR.

ATTORNEYS.

fatented Dec. 17, 1940 'NITED- ST PATENT OFFICE For the sake ofillustration, it might be stated that when files are clamped within thedrawers of a file cabinet, by the usual file drawer follower, it is adifficult matter to remove the files without first loosening thefollower, which is a difficult procedure, particularly when the draweris filled to its capacity and the follower is at the limit of itsinnermost movement.

It is therefore the primary object of the invention to provide means tofacilitate the selecting and removal of a file from a file drawer, whenthe files are clamped in their upright positions.

Another object of the invention is to provide means to clamp the filesin a file drawer to support the files in upright positions, the clampingmeans being such that it may be readily operated to release the files sothat the files may be removed without the necessity of adjusting thefile drawer follower, forming a part of the usual file drawer structure.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in the combination andarrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafterdescribed and claimed, itv

being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the inventionherein described, maybe made within'the scope of what is claimed,without departing from the spirit of the invention.- Y

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through a file drawerillustrating a clamping devic constructed in accordance with theinvention, as positioned-against the files supported within the drawer.

Figure 2 is a perspective view -of a device'constructed according to theinvention.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a modified form of the invention.

Figure 4 is an end elevational view of a further modified form of theinvention, illustrating the device as forming a permanent part of a filedrawer structure.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the reference character 5 designatesa file cabinet drawer in which the clamping devices forming the subjectmatter of the present invention, are positioned, the clamping devicesbeing shown as 60 clamping files indicated by dotted lines.

On using the file clamp, it is desirable to use a. file clamp at eachend of the stack of files, as shown by Figure 1. Each file clamp,embodies a main section' 6, which is of a width slightly less 55 thanthewidth of the drawer in which it is positioned, and of a heightsubstantially equal to the height of the files used in the drawer. Thismain section 6 is designed to fit against the inher surface of the frontof the drawer, or against the follower of the drawer, which is indicatedby 5 the reference character I, as shown by Figure 1 of the drawing.

Each clamp also embodies a movable clamping plate 8 which is hingedlyconnected to the main section 6, by means of the hinge 9 formed 10 alongthe bottoms of the main section 6 and clamping plat 8. This clampingplate 8 is of a height slightly less than the height of the files withwhich the clamping device is used, so that the files may be easilyhandled. 15

The upper longitudinal edge of the clamping plate 8 is extended inwardlytowards the main section 6, providing a flange 9 to which the arm i0 ispivotally connected, at a point sub stantially intermediate the ends ofthe flange 20 9'. A depression indicated at H is formed in the mainsection 6, and is adapted to receive the free end of the arm ill, thedepression acting as a keeper for the free end of the arm ill, to holdthe arm in its active position. 25

In the form of the invention as shown by Figure 3 of the drawing, themain section of the clamp is indicated by the reference character 6',and the clamping plate is indicated by the reference character i, theclamping plate and main 30 section being hingedly connected at the loweredges thereof. 7

A pivoted bar indicated at I2 is mounted on the inner surface of theclamping plate I, the ends of the bar l2 being extended at right angles35 and mounted in the bearings l3. A lug indicated at I4 is stampedinwardly from the main section 8, and acts as a stop against which thepivoted bar l2 engages to hold the clamping plate in spaced relationwith respect to the main 40 section 6, as shown by Figure 3 of thedrawing.

In the modified form of the invention as shown by Figure 4, the clampingplate i5 is hingedly connected with the bar l6 that in turn is securedto the inner surface of the front end of a file 45 drawer. The arm Hwhich is pivotally connected to the clamping plate I5, is adapted toswing inwardly contacting with the inner surface of the front end of thedrawer, holding the clamping plate in spaced relation with the front endof the drawer. A similar clamping plate indicated at I8 is secured tothe follower of the drawer, which is indicated at I9, the clamping platei8 being also provided with a pivoted arm 20 to be swung into engagementwith the follower holding the clamping plate spaced front the follower.

From the foregoing it will be seen that due to the construction shownand described, I have provided clamping means to be positioned withinthe usual file cabinet drawer for clamping the files in an uprightposition, and at the same time providing means independent of the usualfollower of the usual file cabinet drawer, for releasing the files sothat they may be readily removed or observed.

When it is desired to remove or examine the files, it is only necessaryto move the arm- I. of the clamp, to disengage the main section i of theclamp. The clamping plate of the clamp will now move into parallelrelation with the main section of the clamp, relieving the pressure onthe files so that they will be comparatively loose to permit them to beexamined or removed with Y facility.

After an examination of the files or after a file has been removed, theclamping plates may between the main section and clamping plate forspreading the main section and clamping plate apart and exertingpressure on the files with which the clamp is used, supporting the filesin an upright position.

2. A file clamp for use in file drawers, comprising a main section and aclamping plate pivotally connected with the main section, said clampingplate adapted. to rest against files held within a file drawer, the mainsection adapted to-rest against a stationary part of the drawer, and apivoted member mounted on the clamping plate and adapted to move intoengagement with the main section of the clamp, spreading the free endsof the clamp apart and exerting pressure on the files with which theclamp is used.

3. A file clamp for use in file drawers, comprising a pair of sectionspivotally connected at their lower ends, the upper ends of the sectionsbeing free to move towards and away from each other, one of saidsections adapted to rest against the stationary part of the drawer, theother section adapted to rest against the end file of a stack of filesheld in the drawer, a fianse i'ormedalong the upper edge of one o! thesections, an arm pivotally connected to the flange,

the free end of the arm adapted to move into engagement with theadjacent section, spreading the sections apart and placing the files inthe drawer under pressure.

ARCHIE S. HARRIMAN.

